Examining a Brother

Many of you have attended Lodges across the US and abroad, but which one was the most thorough in their examination? I've heard that some require you to give the grip of a MM, obligation, tylers oath, and more! I can barely remember the MM obligation and have yet to learn the Tylers oath.

In Wyoming and New Mexico, the lodges that I visited varied the most I was ask, beyound my dues card, was the grip and word and once the tylers oath, but the grand hailing sign of distress should give you instruction if you git stuck

I have visited several area lodges but I because I was there with someone I have never been exaimined. When I was Sr Deacon I exaimined a visiting brother....I just asked for his Dues card, showed him mine and he gave me the grip ....

In both NJ and PA I was asked for a dues card. In PA I was asked about the 5 points and in NJ I had to explain the positions of the S&C through the degrees. When I came to my current MA lodge I was asked for my dues card, the strong grip of a mason and then was given an application for affiliation. No lie.

Nash Lodge 638 had me give the Tilers oath and it is pretty simple, and my dues card and DL, afterward I had along talk with Brother Billy Graham about some of the question that used to be asked my favorite was how many workmen completed the temple of Solomon. took me a minute but I got it.

When I visted Beeville Lodge it was the first Lodge I had been to by myself. they asked for my dues card and driver's license and asked if I knew the Tiler's Oath. I told them that I had heard of it but had not been taught. They were Brotherly enough to educated me

If you know the EA work, you know the Tilers Oath. I have examined many a visiting brother. If there is nobody to vouch for them I feel proper procedure is to inspect a current dues card and valid photo ID, check in the book of constituent lodges to ensure the lodge is real, and then administer the Tiler's Oath... this usually starts out with Brother Senior Deacon or myself saying, "please place your hand upon the bible and repeat after me." It's an oath, not memory work... or at least that's how I handle it.

When I spent 10 months in Louisiana I checked in first with the General Secretary of the local Scottish Rite Valley and attended a SR Stated meeting and was there announced as a visiting Brother from the Valley of Austin. There I met a bunch of Brothers who said, "come visit, our stated meeting is next....." Thus when I went to visit usually there was someone to vouch for me, "oh yeah, I sat with him in the Consistory last month."

A few times in Louisiana I did have to show ID / Dues cards and give signs.

you're correct, JS while the Tilers Oath is not a requirement, I sure do feel better after looking them in the eye, while their hand is upon the bible next to mine, and hearing my visiting Brother say, "and know of no just reason why I should be."

A dues card and ID is sort of business like... taking that oath & swearing before, "almighty God and these witnesses," puts a rather personal touch on it.

I'll never forget the time Brother Joey and I visited Mina Lodge in Bastrop and the SW made it very clear that HE WAS NOT satisfied to open a MM Lodge lol. Fortunately a member vouched for us and we proceeded. For my fellow SD's, examine visiting Brother until you are satisfied. Personally, I respect those Lodges who take the time to examine.

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